Summer Love

Ali Edwards' blog captured my attention this morning and got me to thinking:

TODAY'S SUMMER THOUGHT : If you had to choose one photo that expresses summer love which one of yours would you select?

From Mommy's Treasures

For me, Summer means a more relaxed schedule with promises of travel and getting together with family. My childhood is filled with memories of summer vacations and camping in our trailer out west. As an adult, I've been able to share the adventures with Jana and Callie and we've made so many memories together as we have explored countrysides, museums, hiking trails, tourist attractions, restaurants and art galleries. I now work much of the summer, but my love of travel has continued. I love to visit new places--both near and far-- and see the things that make it unique.

Altarworks

This weekend, I participated in a workshop aimed at altar design in our church. It was led by Mary Dark, who is really awesome!! We met Friday night and again yesterday morning. In fact, I got up early yesterday and joined her in her venture into the "wild", as we picked natural elements from roadsides.

From Mommy's Treasures

From Mommy's Treasures

Mary's style emphasizes using things from nature in a free form way and for me, it meant really pushing my limits. I am fairly creative, but have absolutely no knowledge of flowers and floral design, so it was rather intimidating to even begin preparing a large arrangement.
To begin with, we set the Altar at Grace Community--a tribute to fathers that was so creative and fun.

From Mommy's Treasures

Here's a sample of the first design assigned to Annette and I---Mary set the stage by giving us the materials we could use and sticking those purple flowers out of the side. We weren't wild about our creation at first, but as we began adding things, it began to "grow on us" a bit. :-)

From Mommy's Treasures

Terri and Vickie used fabric and other things to come up with a really "earthy" look.

From Mommy's Treasures

And Betty used only things that were found by the side of the road.

From Mommy's Treasures

We decided that this is the look we liked the best and in fact, went to Noel and prepared similar arrangements that will be used in the Worship services this morning.
The workshop was fun with lots of laughter (because, let's face it--some of our designs were just downright hilarious), but I learned a few things and had a great time scavenging through the weeds and ditches! :-)

Round Robin - Broken

Yesterday, my next door neighbor knocked on my door to apologize for what he called "a mess he made in my yard". Thinking of his always manicured lawn and my overgrown jungle, I assured him that I found it hard to believe that he could make a mess in my yard. He pointed out the pot stacker that he'd accidentally hit with his weed whacker, knocking some of the pots to the ground. Given the fact, that I had yet to plant new flowers in it this summer, I wasn't worried. Besides, now I had a subject for the Round Robin photo challenge!! ( Be sure to check out the entries of the other "Robins" here. They always have some amazing photos. )

From Mommy's Treasures

From Mommy's Treasures

As I took a couple of pictures, I spotted this tiny winged friend perched atop the pole. So pretty!!

From Mommy's Treasures

Splash!!

Callie's youth had a pool party today. Since I wasn't working, I picked up the food and showed up about the same time she and Meghan appeared with the kids. After eating a bit of lunch, I stayed around long enough to take a few pictures.
Meghan and Callie:

From Mommy's Treasures

Yum! Can I have some please?

From Mommy's Treasures

Callie watching over her youth:

From Mommy's Treasures

And my favorite---kids in action. SPLASH!

From Mommy's Treasures

PB Knock-Off

My computer space needs lots of decorating help--you may remember when I converted the area into a bedroom for when my brother visits. At this point, I'm not able to fix the walls or get new furniture, but I CAN do some small things to help with organization.
I have a small bulletin board over my computer desk where I post favorite quotes and prayer reminders, etc. When I saw this organizer in the Pottery Barn catalog, I knew I wanted something similar in this space.
I recently picked up this large picture frame on sale at Hobby Lobby for $8, as is, which was great--perfect for this project!

From Mommy's Treasures

I really wanted to be able to use magnets instead of push pins, but after pricing sheet metal, I cam up with the idea of using hardware cloth--magnets would stick and it is much more affordable. Besides, I kind of liked the rustic quality it would provide. A quick trip to Lowe's (well, actually 2 trips because I decided I needed to think it through a little more, first) yielded spray paint, hardware cloth, a piece of wood, dowels and a little molding. I also picked up tin snips and a miter box, because I'd been meaning to buy those anyway.

From Mommy's Treasures

After spray painting all the pieces, I cut the molding and dowels to fit the measurements of the frame and used Liquid Nails to glue them in place, fitting the dowels in the notches I cut into the molding. This provided a surface to set the backing against so that they wouldn't be flat against each other.

From Mommy's Treasures

I stapled the hardware cloth to the board and set it into the back of the frame. Well, I guess I should "fess up" and admit that I had to do a little sanding on the side to get it to fit (note to self: try it out in the frame BEFORE stapling everything together).
The end result looked great! I'm tickled to death with it and can't wait to add some fancy tacks and other embellishments.
BEFORE:

From Mommy's Treasures

AFTER:

From Mommy's Treasures

Cost of the hardware and wood products . . . $13.43

Cost of a "seconds" frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8.00

Cost of duplicating Pottery Barn wall decor for a fraction of the cost . . . . . . . .PRICELESS!!!

Lock-In

Last night, I was invited to attend the Mother-Daughter Lock-In at Callie's church.

From Mommy's Treasures

The children's director and Callie, the youth director, and her intern, Meghan, joined together to offer this event for 3rd - 7th grade girls.

From Mommy's Treasures

So I went. There was pizza, snacks, lots of giggling (by both moms and girls) and of course, the requisite Beauty Pageant. In this case, the girls were the "pageant coaches" for their moms and they dressed the moms, instructed them in a silly talent and how to walk the runway. In my clown makeup and trash bag hula skirt, my title was Ms. Macarena Mama.

From Mommy's Treasures

With that name, I bet you'll never guess what my talent was . . . .
I'm hoping those videos don't make it out to the public!!

My daughters are definitely the most creative people I've ever met. Ideas just seem to ooze out of them. No mater whether it's a new craft idea, program ideas for a youth group, a special gift for someone . . . . I'm always amazed at what they come up with.

Jana has been on a sewing jag lately--it began when I was there visiting and hasn't stopped yet, it seems. Look at this tote bag after she completed the re-purpose project.

From Mommy's Treasures

You've got to check out the "before" picture here---if she hadn't shown the inside, I never would have believed it was the same bag!!

Top Ten 10 MInutes

Maybe it's because I've been totally occupied sitting in a conference for 3 days, but when I saw this post, I decided 10 minutes of "nothing time" sounded wonderful! Here are my Top Ten favorite things to do when I have 10 minutes of free time: (in no particular order)

1. Take a power nap on the couch
2. Play Words with Friends (of course, I also do that when I'm supposed to be doing other things, too)
3. Flip through a decorating magazine
4. "Chat" with one of my daughters--by phone or IM
5. Read my blog roll
6. Make a list---stuff to sew/ craft, etc.
7. Sit on my deck and watch Emmi run around
8. Take a few photos
9. Send emails to family
10. SIT

How about you? What are your top 10?

Doodles

I've spent the past few days (and evenings) as a delegate to my denomination's annual conference, along with about 1199 others.

From Mommy's Treasures

There have been some amazing, goose-bump moments such as the ordination service on Sunday evening and moving stories of how to help stop killer diseases -- with a particular focus on Malaria this year. Did you know that a child dies of Malaria in Africa EVERY 30 SECONDS!!! And it is totally preventable!

Yesterday, I helped supervise a project that made and distributed meals for a day shelter for the homeless in our area.

From Mommy's Treasures

From Mommy's Treasures

And there have also been lots of reports, petitions and resolutions. I'd like to say that I've been fully engaged in each and every discussion, but in reality, I did some doodling, like a friend sitting next to me . . .

From Mommy's Treasures

(taken with my iPhone)

and even did some of this.

From Mommy's Treasures

(sorry for the blurriness)

Until next year . . . .

DIY Packing Folder Tutorial

I completed the DIY Packing Folder tutorial. The pattern and tutorial for this is now available on Craftsy---Click Here to get a copy.

DIY Packing Folder Tutorial

Materials Needed:
Utility/Sport Nylon Fabric – ½ yard
Utility Mesh Fabric – 1/3 yard
Decorative Upholstery-weight Fabric (optional) – 1/3 yard **
Double-Fold Bias Binding - 1 package
Heavy Duty Stiff Interfacing (9” x 15”)
Nylon Webbing (1” wide) – 8 inches
Velcro – 1/3 yard
Thread to match project
(1) Flexible Cutting board (purchased at Wal-Mart 3/pkg for $3.97)

Assembly of Pattern:
1. Print one copy of each pattern piece.
2. Trace pattern pieces #3 & #5 onto pieces of newsprint, flipping the piece over on the
fold to make one complete piece for each.
3. Tape #4 (body) to the wider end of #5 (body flap) as indicated on the pattern.
4. Tape #5 (body flap) to the straight edge of the #3 (body flap extension)

Instructions:

1. Lay out pattern pieces and cut out as follows:
- - Cut 2 of body (utility sport nylon)
- - Cut 2 Side Flaps (utility sport nylon)**
**if desired, can cut one of nylon and one of decorative fabric instead
- - Cut 2 Side Flaps ½” smaller as indicated on pattern (mesh)

2. Stack 2 mesh flap pieces together and baste ¼” from edge.

3. Sandwich the edges between the folded bias tape and stitch with a zig-zag stitch around curved edge leaving straight edge free.

4. Center the Sticky side of Velcro on solid utility fabric and stitch in place.

5. Center the soft side of the Velcro on the mesh fabric and stitch in place.

6. Center one side of the other piece of Velcro on the end of the body and stitch in place. Repeat with other piece on the body lining.

7. Place the ends of the nylon webbing on the indicated spots on the side flap and baste in place.

8. With right sides together, stitch around the curved edge of the side flap, using a ½” seam.

8. Turn right side out and press.

9. Stitch side flaps on each side of the body, where indicated using a 5/8” seam.

10. Turn and press.

11. With right sides together, sew the body to the lining, leaving the mesh side flap free.

12. Turn right side out and press well. Turn under raw edge and press.

(Lining)

(Front)

13. Draw a pencil line from the top of one flap across the body to the top of the other side flap. Stitch along that line and topstitch around ends of the body. (long flaps)

14. Slide interfacing piece inside the “box” (trim if necessary). Topstitch the free edge closed.

15. Trim the plastic cutting board to approximately 8” x 14” to use as a folding board.

16. VOILA’!!!!